After the closure of the titanium mining in Kwale County in early 2025, huge mineral deposits in the Kenyan coast remain largely unexploited.
Apart from the known gemstone mining in Taita Taveta County, there is little in this sector to talk about in the region yet among its wealth. For instance, sits a vast deposit of rare earth minerals in Kwale County, valued at over KSh 8 trillion ($62 billion).
The deposits of niobium in Mrima Hill has placed Kenya at the center of a global economic contest between the United States, China and other Western countries such as Australia raising critical questions about the nation’s strategy for managing its strategic resources.
Mrima Hill, a forested area in Kenya’s Kwale County, holds one of Africa’s most significant deposits of rare earth elements (REEs) and niobium, with early estimates by Cortec Mining Kenya placing the potential value at over KSh 8 trillion
These minerals are in very high demand as they are used for manufacturing high-tech products, including smartphones, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced military technology.
These metals have ignited global competition for critical minerals between the United States and China.
In June 2025, the then-interim U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Marc Dillard, visited Mrima Hill. There are reports also indicating that Chinese nationals have attempted to access the site in recent months but were denied entry by local guards.
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Washington, under the Trump administration, has identified securing critical mineral supply chains as a key foreign policy objective to reduce its reliance on China, which currently dominates the global market. China is responsible for approximately 70% of global rare earth mining and nearly 90% of processing, giving it significant leverage. This dominance has prompted the U.S. to actively seek partnerships in Africa to ensure its mineral resources flow “west, not east to China,” according to a U.S. State Department spokesperson in an October 2025 statement.
Australia has also shown interest in having a stake in the Mrima rare earth elements and this can be attested to by Wednesday’s meeting in the Australian embassy in Washington, US, where the Prime Cabinet Secretary Moses Mudavadi said Kenya will only work with reputable companies in extracting the country’s minerals.
However, as the global competition escalates, local residents are still not sure about their fate and how they would benefit once the minerals start being exploited.
The residents’ fears stem from uncertainties about compensation, degradation of the environment as well as the deeply rooted cultural beliefs in an area that is also a scared forest (Kaya).
Mudavadi reiterated that Kenya wants to partner with companies that uphold environmental and social standards while ensuring full land rehabilitation after mining activities.
“Kenya is actively seeking investors with the experience, expertise, and financial strength to responsibly mine our rare earth minerals and unlock their full national value,” Mudavadi stated.
“With significant rare earth deposits in this coastal region, Kenya is determined to work only with environmentally conscious companies that go beyond profit, adopt global best practices, and ensure full land restoration once mining activities conclude,” he added.
During the meeting with Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, Mudavadi highlighted the importance of partnering with a mining firm that can transfer skills, build local capacity, and ensure safe and sustainable extraction of the minerals.
On his part, ambassador Rudd said Kenya’s approach was welcomed, noting that Australian mining firms bring over a century of mining experience and have established a long-standing reputation for community empowerment.
“Australian firms have a strong global reputation, guided by strict national standards, over a century of mining experience, and a proven record of community empowerment,” Rudd said.
